Way cover improvements

ABSTRACT

A way cover section is shaped with a continuous lateral arc by pre-stressing so that its top panel has a radius in its top panel from one side panel of the cover section to the other. A wiper at the leading edge of the cover sections that may also serve as a bumper. The wiper has an elastomeric wiper section at one end and an elastomeric bumper section at the other end, with an intermediate section of a harder and more lubricious material that fits on a rolled over edge of the cover section to which the wiper is attached.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.60/463,831 filed Apr. 17, 2003.

STATEMENT CONCERNING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to telescoping way covers, and in particular to astructure and method for forming the way cover sections to regularizetheir shape and increase their strength, and to a new bumper whichabsorbs the impact between adjacent cover sections upon extension andretraction of the cover.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Telescoping covers, such as the telescoping machine tool way coversshown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,446,391 B1, the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference, are typically made up of a number of sheetmetal sections which are telescoped together. The sections have endwalls or flanges that catch on one another so that when one end of thecover is pulled to extend or pushed to retract the cover, the coverextends or retracts and remains covering the way as it is moving by theend walls or flanges of each section abutting end walls or flanges ofthe next adjacent section until the cover is totally extended orretracted.

Way covers are typically flat, or made of two flat panels which aretented in the center. In either event, the walls of adjacent sectionsare relatively close to each other such that even minor imperfections inthe shapes, such as small dents or bends, can result in rubbing of onesection wall on the next adjacent section wall which creates friction,noise and scratching of the section surfaces. It also creates assemblyproblems when initially assembling the cover, as nearly allimperfections need to be taken out manually (e.g., with a hammer) sothat at least initially the cover sections do not contact one another.However, in use, heavy tools are dropped on the way cover or someone maystep on it, which can bend the section sufficiently so that adjacentsections rub.

In addition, bumpers have normally been used to dampen the impact as theend walls or flanges of adjacent cover sections bump up against oneanother when extending or retracting the cover. These bumpers havetypically been elastomeric pads placed in between the abutting walls ofthe adjacent way cover sections, typically at the trailing ends of thecover sections. For example, in many prior art designs, replacement ofthe bumpers required substantial disassembly of the way cover. Inaddition, the bumpers gained some of their strength from the sheet metalof the cover themselves, and so the sheet metal had to be maderelatively thick to support the bumper. In addition, as the bumpers weremade of elastic materials, if the bumpers would rub between adjacentsections, excessive friction forces could result from the elastomerrubbing on the adjacent section.

Prior art way covers have also included wipers, typically elastomericand installed at the leading ends of the cover sections. The purpose ofthe wipers is to prevent cut metal chips, oil and other debris frombuilding up between the cover sections. They work like a windshieldwiper or window squegee to clear the top surface of the cover sectionbelow the cover section to which the wiper is mounted. These also canrub between adjacent cover sections so as to create excessive frictionforces, and can be difficult to install, remove and replace.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the invention, the invention provides a cover sectionthat is shaped with a continuous arc from side to side so that its toppanel is not flat but has a radius in its top panel from one side panelof the cover section to the other. Forming the cover section into thisshape regularizes the shape so as to take out any initial imperfectionsin the flatness of the sheet which forms the cover section, and alsoreinforces the ability of the cover section to support the loads, forexample if someone steps on it or drops a heavy tool on it.

Preferably, the cover section is arched by pre-stressing it into thatshape when making the cover section. A preferred method of pre-stressingthe cover section is to secure it at one end in the arched shapedagainst a flange of the cover section.

In another aspect of the invention, a wiper is provided at the leadingedge of the cover sections, which may also serve as a bumper.Preferably, the wiper has an elastomeric wiper section that wipes on thenext section down at one end of the wiper to prevent excessive chips,oil and other debris from getting between the cover sections, and at theother end of the wiper has an elastomeric bumper section.

Preferably, between the two elastomeric sections, there is provided anintermediate section that is made of a harder and more lubriciousmaterial that can rub on the surface of the next section down withrelatively less friction, if need be.

In another aspect, the wiper is preferably shaped to be fitted onto arolled over edge of the cover section to which it is attached. Therolling over of the edge strengthens the cover section against bending,which enables using lighter gauge sheet metal to make the section, withcorrespondingly reduces the weight of the cover sections and the inertiaforces which must be absorbed by the bumper when extending andretracting the cover.

These and other features and advantages of the invention will beapparent from the following detailed description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an end view (taken in a lateral plane) of three cover sectionstelescopically arranged with respect to each other;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view from the plane of the line 2-2 of FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of one cover section;

FIG. 4 is a front plan view of a flange of the cover section in FIG. 3;and

FIG. 5 is a detail view of a wiper mounted on a leading edge of one ofthe cover sections.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 1-3 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,446,397 B1 illustrate a prior artconstruction of a way cover in which the cover sections are tented witha peak in the middle and FIGS. 4-7 illustrate cover sections which areflat topped. The present invention differs from either of the prior artconfigurations illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 6,446,397 B1, as shown inFIG. 1, by the sections being arched with a continuous arc laterally,i.e. in the direction from side to side. Thus, it can be seen in FIG. 1,that each section 12, 14, 16 has a respective top wall 18, 20 or 22which, when viewed in a lateral plane, is shaped to have a continuousradius from side to side, i.e. from side wall 12A to 12B in the case ofthe cover section 12, from side wall 14A and 14B in the case of coversection 14 and from side wall 16A to 16B in the case of cover section16. Each cover section 12, 14 and 16 also has respective inwardly turnedbottom flanges at the bottom of the side walls 12C and 12D, 14C and 14D,and 16C and 16D, respectively.

Referring particularly to FIG. 2, each cover section also includes arespective flange 12E, 14E or 16E. Cover section 12, which is an endsection, may also be provided with an end wall or flange 30 which closesthe end opposite from the flange 12E, or at lease partially closes it.Bumpers 32, made of an elastomeric material, may also be provided on theflanges 12E and 14E to absorb impacts as the cover is retracted. Itshould be noted that the cover 10 may be formed of any number of coversections, only three being illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, which illustrate cover section 16 only, withthe body section 16F shown in phantom behind the flange 16E, it is seenthat the arc is formed in the top wall 22 of the body section 16F byforming slots 16G an arcuate pattern in the flange 16E. Correspondingtabs 22A, which extend from the rear edge of the body section 16F forapproximately the thickness of the flange 16E, fit into the slots 16G soas to form the arch or radius in the top wall 22. The body section 16Fis welded or otherwise affixed to the flange 16E at suitable positionsalong the junction between the body section 16F and the flange 16E atsuitably spaced positions.

The body 16F may be welded to the flange 16E at positions along thebottom side flanges 16C and 16D, along the junction between the sidewalls 16A and 16B, and at the junctions with the top wall 22. This helpsimpart a continuous lateral (side to side) arch in the top wall 22,which extends for the length of the top wall 22, from the flange 16E tothe opposite edge 38 at which the wiper 40 is positioned.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5, the edge 38 to which the wiper 40 isassembled is formed inwardly, or hemmed, at 180 degrees to the mainportion of the top wall 22. This helps to reinforce the edge 38 andhelps it to resist vertically downward loads. As mentioned above, thearching of the top wall 22 from side to side, i.e. so that it is archedin a lateral plane, with the axis about which it is arched generallyparallel to the direction of extension and retraction of the cover andbelow the cover, also helps reinforce the entire top wall and helps itresist vertically downward forces.

Only section 16 is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. Sections 18 and 20 aresubstantially the same, except as otherwise described or illustrated.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, the wiper 40 extends for substantially theentire width (laterally from side to side) of the edge 38 so that thewiper 40 extends laterally across each cover section to which the wiper40 is assembled. The wiper 40 is a composite of a harder more lubriciousmiddle section 44 and softer elastomeric end sections 46 and 48 whichare strongly adhered, or molded in one piece with, the middle section 44in a co-extrusion co-molding process.

Referring to FIG. 5, the harder, more lubricious middle section 44 givesstrength to the wiper 40 to hold onto the rolled over edge 38 with aform fit, preferably a snap fit, the middle section 44 having a lip 50which fits between the inner side 52 of the edge 38 and the outer side54 of the edge 38. By form fit it is meant that the shapes of the edge38 and wiper 40 interfit with one another to hold the wiper 40 onto theedge 38 in normal operation of the cover 10. The lip 50 is joined to theinner side 56 of the mid-section 44 by inner end wall 58 to which isattached bumper 46, which is made out of the softer, elastomericmaterial. The leading or front edge of mid-section 44 is curved tofollow the radius of the inner edge 38 and that portion of themid-section 44 is over-molded with a thin layer 45 of elastomericmaterial which continues into the end section 48 that forms a wiper,that wipes chips, oil and other debris from the top of the cover sectionwhich is below the wiper 40.

The middle section 44 is sufficiently flexible so that end 50 can behooked over the inner end of wall 52 and the wiper 40 snapped over therounded front edge of the edge 38 that joins the inner wall 52 to theouter wall 54 of the edge 38, so that the snap fit of the wiper 40 ontothe edge 38 holds the wiper 40 onto the edge 38. Also, this enables thewiper 40 to be easily assembled and disassembled from the edge 38without removing the cover sections individually from the entire cover10.

Since the mid section 44 is exposed to the next cover down from thecover to which the wiper 40 is assembled, if the seal 40 rubs on thatcover, it will rub with a lubricious and hard, long wearing surface 47.

A preferred embodiment of the invention has been described inconsiderable detail. Many modifications and variations to the embodimentdescribed will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, theinvention should not be limited to the embodiments described, but shouldbe defined by the claims that follow.

1. In a telescopic way cover of the type that has cover sectionstelescopically arranged with one another, each section having a top walland side walls and at least some sections fitting at least partiallybelow other sections, the improvement wherein the top wall of at leastsome of the sections is arched so that it forms a continuous curve in alateral plane that extends between sides of the section and wherein thecover section includes a wiper at a leading edge thereof, the leadingedge of the cover being rolled over so as to define an inner wall with arearwardly facing surface at a rear edge of the inner wall and aforwardly facing surface at a front edge of the cover, and wherein thewiper abuts the rearwardly facing surface and the forwardly facingsurface so as to restrain the wiper forwardly and rearwardly relative tothe cover.
 2. In a telescopic way cover of the type that has coversections telescopically arranged with one another, each section having atop wall and side walls and at least some sections fitting at leastpartially below other sections, the improvement wherein the top wall ofat least some of the sections is arched so that it forms a continuouscurve in a lateral plane that extends between sides of the section andwherein the top wall has tabs which fit into slots in a flange of thecover section and the slots are arranged in a continuous arc pattern. 3.In a telescopic way cover of the type that has cover sectionstelescopically arranged with one another, each section having a top walland side walls and at least some sections fitting at least partiallybelow other sections, the improvement wherein the top wall of at leastsome of the sections is arched so that it forms a continuous curve in alateral plane that extends between sides of the section, and wherein thecover section includes a wiper at a leading edge thereof, the wiperbeing co-molded of an elastomeric material and a relatively hardermaterial and forming a snap fit with the leading edge of the cover. 4.The improvement of claim 3, wherein wiper forms a snap fit with thecover.
 5. The improvement of claim 4, wherein a trailing edge of thewiper includes an elastomeric section that acts as a bumper.
 6. In atelescoping way cover of the type that has cover sections telescopicallyarranged with one another, at least some of the sections having a frontedge and a wiper on the front edge that wipes on the cover section belowthe cover section with the wiper, the improvement wherein the front edgeis rolled over so as to define an inner wall with a rearwardly facingsurface at a rear edge of the inner wall and a forwardly facing surfaceat a front edge of the cover, and the front edge mounts a wiper so thatthe wiper abuts the rearwardly facing surface and the forwardly facingsurface to restrain the wiper relative to the cover.
 7. In a telescopingway cover of the type that has cover sections telescopically arrangedwith one another, at least some of the sections having a front edge anda wiper on the front edge which wipes on the cover section below thecover section with the wiper, the improvement wherein the front edge isrolled over and mounts a wiper with a form fit between the wiper and therolled over edge and wherein the wiper is snap fit to the front edge. 8.The improvement of claim 7, wherein the wiper is co-extruded of twomaterials of different hardnesses.
 9. The improvement of claim 8,wherein the wiper includes an elastomeric bumper at a trailing endthereof that is beneath the cover to which the wiper is attached. 10.The improvement of claim 9, wherein the wiper includes a middle sectionof a relatively harder material than a wiper at a leading end of thewiper, the middle section being positioned between the front edge of thecover to which the wiper is attached and the next cover section down.